TV weatherman Fred Talbot has pleaded not guilty to a series of historic sex offences, some alleged to have happened in the North-East.
The 64-year-old appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, today (Tuesday, March 4).
Mr Talbot, who was a regular on the floating weather map in Liverpool's Albert Dock for ITV's This Morning, is accused of nine counts of indecent assault and one count of buggery.
The former teacher from Bowdon, south Manchester, is alleged to have committed the offences between October 25, 1968 and August 2, 1983 against five male complainants, three of whom were under 16.
Four of the alleged victims attended Altrincham Grammar School for Boys and one was at school in Newcastle.
Mr Talbot, who is on bail, was seated in the dock for most of the 20-minute hearing, listening intently as lawyers set a date for his trial, scheduled for January 19 next year.
Judge Jeffrey Lewis granted Mr Talbot bail until a further preliminary hearing on May 27.
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